Elementary Level


Activity 1A - Using Kurzweil 3000 to Build Vocabulary


Activity 1B - Readily Accessible Tools to Support Reading Comprehension Strategies - MS Word and Mac Speech




  • Readability Statistics

    • MSWord >Tools > Spelling and Grammar > Options Button > Check Readability Statistics

  • Reading using the Mac Text to Speech Tool

    • Go to System Preferences > Select Speech > Select a Voice > Create a Hot Key to activate Text-to-Speech (Command+Option+T)

  • Reading Strategies using MSWord - Highlighting Tools

  • >>MSWord - Highlighting Tools (located on the formatting toolbar)

    • Select the yellow highlighter. Highlight the main topics and subtopics (words in bold)

    • Select the green highlighter. Highlight the Main Idea for each topic.

    • Select the turquoise highlighter. Highlight one supporting detail for each topic.

    • Select the pink highlighter. Highlight new vocabulary


  • Using Awesome Highlighter and Mac Speech - if time allows

    • In the second part of this activity, we will be using an online tool, Awesome Highlighter, to support reading comprehension and note taking on the web. Copy and Paste this URL into Awesome Highlighter: http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=general_info
    • Follow the directions by the instructor and the activity handout.